Royal AM promised to cut their bloated squad during the January transfer window – and they certainly did so!
When Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize bought Bloemfontein Celtic and amalgamated the squad with that of Royal AM, it understandably led to an unmanageable squad in terms of size for manager John Maduka.
Monthly salaries got out of hand and numerous players say twiddling their thumbs on the sidelines.
It therefore came as no surprise to see a host of players bid farewell to the now KwaZulu-Natal-based size.
No fewer than 19 players packed their bags in search of greener pastures.
Those players were: Jackson Mabokgwane, Motebang Sera, Tumelo Mangweni, Mzwamele Mahashe, Kgotso Mofokeng, Mokone Mereko, Lucky Baloyi, Reagan van der Ross, Tumelo Njoti, Siphelele Luthuli, Harris Tchilimbou, Tshepo Malope, Sipho Chaine, Tshepo Liphoko, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Tshepo Moeketsi, Ditheko Mototo, Simon Gopanen and Kgozi Molokwane.
Royal AM did strengthen their squad with four new signings in the form of Marlon Heugh, Mxolisi Macuphu, Shaun Mohaila and Thabo Matlaba.
Royal AM are 7th in the DStv Premiership log
Royal AM currently lie seventh in the DStv Premirship standings with 26 points after 17 matches.
They have games in hand over the vast majority of the teams ahead of them in the log and are only four points behind second-placed Orlando Pirates having played two fewer matches.
Royal AM will next be in action in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 at home against Cape Town City FC on Saturday, 12 February at 15:00.
Their next league assignment is also a home match against Sekhukhune United on Tuesday, 15 February at 17:30.